please read the previous entry if you have not been here since it went up (moments ago)... it is the third installment from Tim, from Mississippi... read and respond... every hi, every hug, every word matters... the "PLEASE READ THIS" link on the left takes you to Tim's emails... this is the weekend for BLOG FOR RELIEF as well... check that link out and sign up, show your support, give a damn, give a dime...

thank you nicim for the information below... thank you Holly and Aurthur of the Stargazer Foundation for your generosity... anyone who knows anyone looking for loved ones, please forward this information by linking this page or copying and pasting it...

we, the people, are the solution...

From: Holly Ross [mailto:holly @ nten DOT org]
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 12:30 PM
To: nten @ list DOT nten DOT org
Subject: [nten] FW: Stargazer Provides Online Services to Assist After Katrina

The images and reports that we have all been seeing from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi have been heart-wrenching. They can�t begin to capture the level of devastation and can only hint at the level of effort that will be required to mitigate the effects of this catastrophe.

The Stargazer Foundation, a U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit public charity provides technology in the public interest. Specifically, Stargazer.org (an Online Service for Social Good at www.Stargazer.org) has a number of online tools that can help in this situation.

As a public service, Stargazer will temporarily waive its fees to assist in the response to this disaster.

I am asking for your help getting the word out to those who could benefit from our Virtual Joint Information Centers and ReadyLinks for families, groups, and organizations.

Normally, we make the ReadyLinks available at no cost for families, and we charge nominal fees to support our operations for the most of our other services. However, as a public service, Stargazer is waiving its fees during the current emergency and making its services available at no cost to any families, groups, organizations, commercial companies, or government agencies that need to use these services to respond to the current situation. We will rely upon the honor system, if it becomes necessary to return to a fee-based system for certain services after the emergency has passed.

Virtual Joint Information Centers are ideal tools for first responders, government agencies, and law enforcement officials. They provide a way for organizations to solve their critical communications and planning needs in an emergency and quickly establish (or augment) an incident command system. Virtual JICs are currently in use throughout the nation and, for example, have been used operationally many times in the National Capitol Region. Now, your group, organization, or company can have the same level of security and protection. With a Virtual JIC, responders can:

� Coordinate response initiatives quickly and easily
� Quickly establish a multi-agency communications system
� Institute a response tracking system
� Exchange essential information to coordinate relief efforts
� Post medical information
� Store critical documents, maps, and videos for easy access
� Maintain tracking charts for infrastructure status and transportation availability
� Communicate utilizing powerful integrated collaboration tools
� Maintain and exchange talking points and press releases to aid in communications and rumor control
� Delineate chain of command and unity of command

While ReadyLinks are intended for families, they can actually be used by any groups or organizations to establish a secure place on the Web to communicate in an emergency, post important notes and messages, and obtain critical information. With a ReadyLink, anyone can:

� Store maps and crucial directions
� Maintain archives of important information
� Use Instant Messaging tools
� Identify meeting places, evacuation plans, and other important locations
� Download templates for personal communications plans
� Create schedules and online calendars

These tools can be quickly established by clicking on the following link:

TOOLS

and selecting �Create an Information Center� for a JIC or �Create a ReadyLink�. First-time users will need to register on Stargazer by creating a screen name and password. Stargazer is built upon IBM's most advanced Web platform, and is hosted in IBM's facilities. Stargazer's security is trusted by approximately 40 local, regional, and national agencies in the National Capitol Region, so you can feel comfortable that your information will be adequately protected.

Stargazer's online tools are actively in use and can provide essential assistance to people and organizations in need. If you know of someone who can use these services in the current emergency, please forward this email or have them contact us directly.

For questions relating to the use of these tools, send an email to: Mike Lasky at MikeLasky AT Stargazer DOT org Someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your help.

Art

Arthur A. Bushkin
Chairman & CEO
Stargazer Foundation
4031 University Drive - Suite 400
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 934-6681
(703) 934-8441 (fax)
ArtBushkin AT Stargazer DOT org

Stargazer

If you have any connections to anyone in our government, especially at FEMA, please get them this information... they obviously need help withg their communications...

. o O ( NOTES ARE THE NEW HAPPY PILL ) O o .
(just let me know you were here)